Laura Powell Whitlock

A lifelong resident of Cobb County, Laura was born in Marietta and attended Acworth Elementary School, where she enjoyed a happy and active childhood. After school, she could often be found roller skating around Acworth or spending time with family friends or her Aunt Carole while both of her parents worked. Although Laura was an only child, she was constantly surrounded by family, spending countless hours with her aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Many treasured family memories were made water skiing on Lake Allatoona.

Before high school, Laura moved to Marietta, where she later graduated from Marietta High School. Her father held a deep affection for the school and proudly promised that his daughter would graduate from there as well. During those years, Laura loved driving her friends around, listening to music, and attending Marietta High School football games.

Laura dreamed of becoming an interior designer and began her studies at Florida Southern College, where she enjoyed many adventures and memorable beach trips. She later graduated from Georgia State University with a degree in journalism. While attending Georgia State, Laura worked at W&J Sloane, a furniture store at Phipps Plaza. She had a lifelong love of shopping and fashion, often visiting Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza, so much so that she was buying clothes for her parents even before graduating from high school.

Laura married Earnie Whitlock while they were both in college. The two met on the Marietta Square and dated throughout their college years. She and Earnie owned Slim’s Busy Bee in Marietta, where Laura frequently worked behind the scenes to ensure the restaurant remained well supplied. After starting a family, Laura stepped away from the furniture and interior design field to devote herself fully to raising her children. She was also active in the Junior League of Cobb‑Marietta. As her children grew older, Laura returned to the workforce and was employed by Nortel Networks.

A funeral service in her honor will be held at Mayes Ward Dobbins Historic Marietta Chapel on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 12:00 PM. Visitation will take place the night before, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and an hour prior to the service on Saturday from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Following the service, a private graveside burial will be held at Kennesaw Memorial Park Cemetery in Marietta.

Laura will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her sense of style, and the deep love she shared with those closest to her.